Sometimes it’s the simplest things that taste the best. Before I married Marlboro Man, I had to learn to make these delicious little numbers or he wouldn’t go through with the wedding. Called “Egg-in-a-Holes” by his paternal grandmother who made them for him all during his childhood, I’ve learned not only to love them through the years…but to need them. They define comfort food, are painfully easy to make, and will turn any stressful, hectic morning into something entirely different. I’m not saying Egg-in-a-Holes will change the world…but they will change your spirit. Sorta. Maybe.

Before I get on with the recipe, I must acknowledge that this simple recipe goes by as many different names as the human beings who eat it. While I insist the original name is “Egg-in-the-Hole,” here are the different incarnations that have cropped up since:

But really? It doesn’t matter what you call it. Just make it! Then eat it! And you, too shall know the allure of probably the simplest breakfast dish next to oatmeal.

To begin, grab a slice of bread. You can use storebought white, wheat, or you can get fancy and use brioche or challah. But only if you live in a city. This happens to be Earthgrains Honey Wheat bread. It’s the best I could do this morning.

With a biscuit cutter (preferably, a rusty, worn biscuit cutter that reveals the frequency with which you make biscuits) or the rim of a glass, press a hole in the center of the bread.

That this biscuit cutter has survived my four children is one of the miracles of modern country life. I still can’t believe they haven’t buried it yet.

Next, heat a skillet over medium-low heat. You don’t want to get it too hot or it’ll burn the bread before the egg is done. This is the only tricky thing about making Egg-in-a-Holes.

Next, melt a healthy tablespoon of butter in the skillet. This is another important thing about making Egg-in-a-Holes: You must not be afraid of the butter. The butter must soak into the bread and give it flavor and crunch. Or something.

Let it melt all the way…

Then plop the bread right in.

Make sure there’s plenty of butter underneath, then carefully crack a large egg into the center. Don’t move the bread for at least 30 seconds or so.

Now sprinkle the egg with salt…

And pepper to taste.

Then, after about a minute, flip it over with a spatula.

Salt and pepper the other side, then move the whole piece of toast around the skillet, soaking up all the butter. A tablespoon of butter is a terrible thing to waste.

Let it cook until the yolk feels, to the touch, still soft without feeling over jiggly. Jiggly means the white is still soft, and that’s gross. But if you let it go too long, the yolk will be hard and that’s gross, too. Here’s the key: golden brown toast, white (not brown/burned) whites, soft, unbroken yolk.

Here’s the other secret: just one of these suckers is all I need to feel whole, happy, and free.

I don’t know where the “free” comes in, but when I figure it out, I’ll get back with you.

Oh! I almost forgot: Part of the joy of an Egg-in-a-Hole is throwing the little bread circle into the skillet and letting it soak up butter and get brown, too. But you see, I was hungry. And I done et it.

Ugh. Does it get any better than this, I ask you? I think soft yolks are underrated and overlooked in our society.And I’m changing that today.

Egg-in-a-Hole

Ingredients

Preparation Instructions

With a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass, press a hole in the center of the slice of bread.

Next, heat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt a Tablespoon of butter in it. When the butter is all spread out, place the piece of bread in the skillet and crack the egg straight into the center of hole.

Cook for at least 30 seconds or so before attempting to move the bread or things could get messy. Sprinkle the egg with salt and pepper to taste. After about a minute, flip it over with a spatula and salt and pepper the other side.

Now move the whole piece of toast around the skillet, soaking up all of the glorious butter. Let it cook until the yolk feels, to the touch, still soft without feeling over-jiggly. Here’s the key: golden brown toast, white (not brown/burned) whites, soft unbroken yolk.

Here’s the other secret: just one of these suckers is all I need to feel whole, happy and free.

I had these whenever I spent the night at a friend’s house when I was a kid, and I was always so impressed with them. They called it something with “Texas” in it and it’s been so long I’ll never remember the name. Thanks for bringing it up–you’re right, it is a comfort food, one I’ll be making for myself very soon!

Fabulous. But actually, Toad in the Hole is a form of Yorkshire pudding with sausages in it

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Deborah On Thursday, July 24 at 2:02 pm

Gee. I get to be reply #401….must be my special day..been at school (no, not elementary) home giving myself a pedicure because while some in this town do provide the service..just not real good…so, doing it myself, think right afterwards, I’ll have toad in the hole….is there anyone out there who has never heard of this???? If so please let me know…

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Matts Tomboy On Thursday, July 24 at 2:02 pm

I love these!!! We always called it ” egg in a nest”. I love the buttered center!!!

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Marissa On Thursday, July 24 at 2:02 pm

My Mom made these for my brother & I when we were little…and her Mom called them “Egyptian Eyes”.

Kim E. On Thursday, July 24 at 2:07 pm

I went out for lunch last week to a lovely Italian restaurant in downtown Toronto and had the Italian version of this called Pane e Tartufo. Made with fontina cheese, sprinkled with asparagus. It was awesome! But I’m making your delicious version for dinner!

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tracy On Thursday, July 24 at 2:08 pm

i always wondered how to do that! can’t wait to try it.

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lorelei On Thursday, July 24 at 2:09 pm

Oh, those are sooo good! I craved those through my pregnancies with my little punks. I never cared that the center was raw still. Hey, the Doctor always said to take care of the cravings because your body knows what it needs…as long as it wasn’t paint chips or something odd like that!

Teresa On Thursday, July 24 at 2:13 pm

In my DxH’s family they called them Sunday-Night-Specials so that is what we called them. I made them happily for DH and DS#1 and DS#2 who all loved them. I do not eat runny egg yolks in any form at all – never have, never will!

Oh the memories this brings back. I hated to eat eggs and my great grandmother used to make these for me when I was a kid. I think she felt like she was tricking me into eating. Thanks for bringing back such a fond memory!

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Megamo On Thursday, July 24 at 2:15 pm

Yummy. We call these “the June Royer Special” after my mom’s neighbor who made these for her as a little girl. My favorite part is definitely the ultra-buttery fried circle of bread! Perfect for dipping!

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tim On Thursday, July 24 at 2:15 pm

i’ve been making these for years for my kids – my mom made them for me growing up. my wife has always rolled her eyes and thinks we are crazy!

thanks for the validation!

heidi – take that!! i want eggs in a hole tonight.
~tim

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Elyse On Thursday, July 24 at 2:16 pm

My boyfriend fell in love with me the day I introduced him to these. Thanks for sharing.

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Jessi On Thursday, July 24 at 2:17 pm

Eggy in a basket has to be my favorite savory breakfast food.

So simple and so delicious! I’m glad you mentioned about the extra bread circle, I always generously butter it and throw it on the pan and let it get crisp and delicious, lightly salt/pepper it, and gobble it down.

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Jessica On Thursday, July 24 at 2:20 pm

We called ‘em nest eggs, my husband’s family called ‘em Popeye’s. Oh, and the bread circle is by far my favorite part! I always save it for the end.

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Linnea On Thursday, July 24 at 2:20 pm

I love Egg-n-a-hole. I grew up on this as well. True comfort food for me!

Funny story: years and years ago, I went with my parents to a Cracker Barrel. This was our first encounter with “Eggs in a Basket.” My mom wanted to order it, so she tells the waitress she wants the “eggs in a basket.” The waitress says, “How do you want your eggs?” My mom has this confused look on her face and says, “In a basket!” We still tease her about that to this day!

I knew I liked you! One of my favorite comfort foods. We call them “Eggs in the Middle of Toast” at my house. (I know…I know…SO witty.) If you REALLY want to think you’ve died and gone to cholesterol city…try this with an Asiago cheese bagel…or one of those Bagel Breads from the English Muffin folks.

This was one of the first things I learned to cook as a kid… I ate them almost every day! Thanks for reminding me of them!

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tanya On Thursday, July 24 at 2:27 pm

here, here! I am with you on that one. My four year old boy calls them “eye toast”. Super, super yummy – particularly when made with sour-dough bread. Mmmmm…it’s upside down night at my house tonight! Breakfast for Dinner!!! Woo hoo!!!

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Jody On Thursday, July 24 at 2:27 pm

Fried egg toast! I haven’t made those forever! And I love eggs…..so does my husband. And kids, too. Those would be good for Saturday mornings. Thanks for the reminder, Ree!

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Catherine On Thursday, July 24 at 2:28 pm

You gotta try it with cheese and hot sauce. Yummmmmmmmm.

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Shannon On Thursday, July 24 at 2:33 pm

Wow, I’ve never heard it called any of those! We cal lit One-Eyed-Toast Yummy!

Hey, my Nana used to make these only she used “drippings” in the pan. Any leftover beef or chicken or turkey fat was saved and chilled in the fridge. Sometimes she even spread it on toast. I think it came from growing up in the U.K., or maybe because she survived the Depressions.

Haha! My daddy taught me how to make these (he raised me) and he learned how to make them as a kid in the boy scouts using a glass to cut the bread (and was always told to use stale bread because it cut better). Of course I was kind of a disappointing student because I don’t like egg yolks and I always made them with only the whites. Poor guy, that’s what he gets for having a daughter I suppose…

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Stu On Thursday, July 24 at 2:41 pm

My mama made these with the drippings from bacon rather than butter…..everything’s better with BACON!

I’ve eaten this since I was a youngster. We call it egg-in-a-window. I too love the little circle all browned up with butter.

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Another Emily On Thursday, July 24 at 2:51 pm

My best friend and I make these for breakfast on weekends that we get to see each other… we call them eggy-in-a-basket… and sometimes… with a slice of your favorite cheese… they are to die for. YUM!

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Melanie On Thursday, July 24 at 2:51 pm

Yum! We call them egg-in-a-holes and my kids LOVE them!
Only difference is I do not us a circle cutter to cut the hole…I kind of just tear it, and my hubby likes the eggs cooked all the way through…kids like ‘em runny. Hungry…off to make one now!

Erika On Thursday, July 24 at 3:01 pm

Haha I always eat the “hole” ahead of time too! It’s kinda my favourite part We call it “egg-in-a-hole” – and I need to go make it right now

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Mary Ellen in Canada On Thursday, July 24 at 3:07 pm

We call them Bull’seyes. My family all like them. They are better that swingin’ bull’s balls, too. As for that, have you ever heard the song ” Big Balls In Cowtown”? It’s in the movie ” Second Hand Lion”.Kinda’ fits, doesn’t it?

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Tanis On Thursday, July 24 at 3:07 pm

I love these things and my Granmother used to fry up the pieces of bead that you cut out in the butter too! and we called them toad in a hole.

We always called it egg-in-a-poke! That’s my FAVORITE breakfast food! I may have to make breakfast for dinner, now that I’ve seen the pictures of yours!

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sally On Thursday, July 24 at 3:13 pm

My husband grew up calling these man in the holes, with of course the leftover circle of bread being the manhole cover. We love them at our house! Thanks for the incredible site- I’m hooked to all things Pioneer Woman!

My Grandpa called them “Egg-on-a-Raft” so that’s the only name I’ve ever heard, I wonder how many names will come up

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Krista On Thursday, July 24 at 3:18 pm

We had these last night! My dad loves to make “Eye Peepers” and made some for my sons. My 2.5 year old had 3.5 pieces! We’ll make them ourselves soon!

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Kristen On Thursday, July 24 at 3:19 pm

I actually learned to make this in Home Ec… they didn’t set the bar very high at DOD schools in Europe, apparently. They called it “Westpoint Toast” (?!) but around this house, it’s known as “Eggy Toast”. And runny yolks gross me out in the extreme, so I cook it until the yolk is hard. SO GOOD!!

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Michele On Thursday, July 24 at 3:19 pm

OMG.. I haven’t had one of these since I was a kid. My mom used to make these all the time. I think she called them breaded eggs or something like that. This totally makes me want to have one now.

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PJ On Thursday, July 24 at 3:20 pm

My dh calls these “toast n hole”. He and eldest ds love them. I can’t eat them. Don’t ask me to. Can’t get past the runny part. I just can’t! I am a “toast n hole”-less person. Does that make me less of a person? I think not. Comfort food= cream of wheat cereal. No lumps, please.

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Lisa On Thursday, July 24 at 3:22 pm

I’m so glad you posted this! My husband has been remembering them fondly, from when his little Jewish grandma used to make them for him on cold winter mornings. I’m a relatively accomplished cook, but for some reason, I just couldn’t wrap my brain around this. Thanks for clearing it all up!

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Jodi On Thursday, July 24 at 3:27 pm

My husband makes these for my daughter and I – we call them “Chick in a window” . LOVE THEM!

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mckie2 On Thursday, July 24 at 3:31 pm

They are called Egg in a Nest at my house. We butter the bread, not the pan, then put a little dab of butter in the hole before we crack the egg in it. Also I cut the hole square with a knife, so I don’t dirty anymore utensils. Yes – you can put a round egg in a square hole.

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Ann On Thursday, July 24 at 3:32 pm

Gee, I thought my mother made this one up all by herself! She called it: Egg-with-a-bread-with-a-hole-in-the-middle™

Oh Dee-Lish!!! I have always wanted to make these, and with your pics and description, I realized it was not as hard as I had thought. So I went right ahead and made this for lunch, and every scrap was inhaled! Thank you, these are so delicious, and fun to make. Oh, and the toast circles? The most popular part, my kids were ready to wrestle each other to the ground for the last one on the plate.

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Paula in Colorado On Thursday, July 24 at 3:41 pm

When I was growing up we called it “Egg in a Frame.” (Cousin of the somewhat fancier “Butterfly Eggs.”)

Oh, gosh, I haven’t made one of those (egg in a basket) in years… we may just have to have it for supper tonight! The hubby and I support you, Ree, all the way on your quest to make known the perfectly cooked egg, with firm white and runny yolk. Which brings to mind a story I just have to share, and I’ll keep it short… Road trip-breakfast at Waffle House, Vicksburg, MS-eggs over easy ordered-cook’s 1st day on job and doesn’t know how to cook them that way-southern waitress steps in to show him-“now ain’t those the prettiest eggs you’ve ever seen?- everybody in restaurant cranes necks to look at our eggs! Twenty-four years later, and I still remember those eggs-they were delicious!!

Hey! My mom made us those when we were little. We were like the only family that did that and all my friends though it was weird. Pity them, they didn’t know what they were missin’! We called them Pop-Eyes!

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Heather On Thursday, July 24 at 3:43 pm

Hear, hear! There’s nothing more delicious than soaking up that runny, golden center with crisp, buttered toast! Egg-in-the-hole is one of my favorite breakfasts, but around these parts, we just call it, “Momcanihavesomeofthattoastwiththegoointhemiddle?”

Mmmmm, nothing starts the day off right like a plate of goo-in-the-middle!

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Juli On Thursday, July 24 at 3:47 pm

My sister taught me how to make this back when we were in elementary/middle school. I thought it was the coolest thing, but I could never bring myself to make it because runny yolks completely grossed me out; I had to be content with boring old french toast. I still think this looks super cool, but yolks still gross me out, so I still have to make due with french toast. Luckily I’ve perfected my french toast recipe so I don’t have to feel too lame anymore.